Tyler Zangara

Firefighter C-Shift

Served Since 2018

For Tyler Zangara, being a firefighter is the best job in the world.

“Not only do I do what I love, but every day I can make a positive difference in someone’s life, which is truly rewarding,” he says, adding that being able to serve his local community is another aspect that attracted him to the job.

Zangara, a graduate of Fort Zumwalt South High School, grew up in St. Peters and recalls seeing CCFR crews at community events, where they would always be putting a smile on someone’s face.

“This is where I grew up, and this is where I have always wanted to serve,” he says. “CCFR has a strong bond with the community. I also respect its strong union roots, having grown up in a union home.”

Zangara trained to become a firefighter/paramedic at St. Louis County Fire Academy and Respond Right EMS Academy. Zangara has his firefighter I and II,hazmat awareness/operations, advanced cardiac life support, paramedic, pre-hospital trauma life support, pediatric advanced life support, CPR and CPR Instructor certifications.

He says the biggest challenge of being a fireman is seeing people on their worst days. But, he knows that with good training, CCFR crews can help make that bad day better. Zangara recalls a call where his crew was sent to rescue three teenagers from a rollover accident:

“That call will stick with me forever. Being the first unit on the scene, we had to act quickly but safely to extricate the victims. They were so appreciative, and later visited us at the firehouse with their families, who could not thank us enough for simply doing our job.”

In his free time, Zangara enjoys hunting, fishing and hanging out with friends in the great outdoors. He has been a tree climber specialist for seven years, performing tree care and removal in the area. He also enjoys going to the gym and working alongside his fiancé, Megan, to train their dog, a Fox Red Lab named Cali.